The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-03-22
A DEFECTIVE FLUE
Causes a 100000 Fire at
Chatauqua,
WHICH BURNED ITSELF OUT.
Eighty Buildings Destroyed, in Con-
sequence of Lack of Extinguish-
ing Apparatus.
WHICH BURNED ITSELF OUT.
Chatauqua Burned.

ERIE, Pa, March 20.-A telephone
message to the Dispatch says at few
minutes after 10 o'clock: Residents OF
Chatsuqua discovered fire in what is
known as the Old Curtis building ,one of
the Oldest structures in the village, and
which has been unoccupled for some
time. The town possesses a small
volunteer department which was at
once called out. Arriving at the scene
of the fire at 1870, some trouble was
had with the apparatus which had not
been used for long time, and in the
meantime the fire gained good Roadway
and spread to two adjoining buildings,
taking such a firm hold that the ap-
paratus, a hand-pump, was of little
avail. Everything possible was done
by the firemen, and residents of
neighboring houses made all haste to rel.
move their goods to place of safety.
In the meantime :the fire confined to
make steady progress up Townsend
Avenne, which lies along the bank of
the lake, working its way towards the
hotel and 'outbuildings of Chatauqua
Assembly. At IL o'clock it had reached
the corner of Pariah and Townsend
Streets and spread, taking in two streets.
at this time upwards of thirty-seven
buildings were on fire, and absolutely
nothing could be done. Appeals for
aid were sent to Rrockton ana Dunkifk,
but owing to the defective fire apparatus
of these places none could be sent. The
last report receiy ed from the scene of
the fire was at midnight, and employees
of the telephone Office are NOV
ing out their goods, stating that
the fire was only two doors distant,
and the attention of the fire de-
partment and residents was devoted 10
the proximity of the fire, the telephone
operator, the only source of news in the
place, was unwilling to give the news
and would not take time to state who
owned the burned buildings. He stated,
however, that they were nearly all the
property of summer residents, and that
the damage would figure way up IN the
thousands. At that time the fire had
taken hold upon the new and magni-
fcent hotel, and was making rapid work
with it. Owing to the imminent de-
struction of the telephone station it is
exceedingly improbable whether further
news can be obtained tonight.
2.40 a.m.-The hotel atheneum has
been saved and the fire is now under
control. a steamer which had been Or
dered from Corey will not now be re-
quired. and a countermanding order
has been sent. No estimate of the loss
can be made tonight. The fire in effect
burned itself out.
BUFFALO, March pa special from
jamestown says: The fire at Chata-
nqua Assembly Grounds, early this
morning, destroyed eighty buildings,
including several large boarding houses.
Among them Eckert s. Parkhurst, and
the Allen Houses. The total loss will
probably exceed 100000 The fire
started shortly before midnight, in the
Curtiss Cottage, on Sampson Avenue.
1t was caused by defective fue. The
buildings and cottages are of wood and
are close together. The fire spread
rapidly to adjoining cottages and lack
of fire apparatus, and help, favored the
flames. About sixty families, remain
on the grounds during the winter
season. The fire swept everything be-
fore it, taking both sides of Simpson
and Summerfield Avenues, from the
Auditorium to the Hotel Atheneum. 1t
was with difficulty that the hotel was
saved,